(a)
overall, crime has reduced by 10% and violence has reduced by 23%.
There have been reductions in burglary, vehicle offences, cycle
theft, shoplifting, criminal damage, arson and anti-social
behaviour;

(b)
resources and patrols have been increased in the Top Valley area
following a recent shooting and attempted murder case;

(c)
traveller activity has been high in the area, but travellers have
been generally co-operative and cleaned up quickly;

(d)
there has been a problem with fly-tipping at Blenheim Industrial
Estate and funding for 2 CCTV cameras has been found for the
site;

(e)
Southglade Food Park is a hotspot for littering so a clean-up has
taken place there, and around 12 Fixed Penalty Notices were
issued.

Bestwood Councillors reported
that they will be meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner to
discuss knife crime.

(a)the VPC youth engagement programme is a
national pilot and targets young people between the ages of 10-18
years who are either vulnerable, socially excluded or involved with
crime. This includes young people at risk of joining gangs or
becoming first time offenders, people from hard to reach or new
emerging communities and people who are assessed as vulnerable by
VPC or partner agencies;

(c)the purpose of the programme is to deter
young people from crime, build confidence, aspirations, give them a
purpose and positive role models. It should also build increased
trust and confidence in the police and build stronger relationships
between the police, young people and the diverse communities. It
may also lead to future recruitment into the police force if
appropriate;

(d)
the cadet programme meets once a week in term time, and offers
sport activities, learning about police roles and careers,
community work, trips to police departments, crime and personal
safety education, and days out;

(e)there are currently VPC bases in
Bulwell, Sherwood, Radford and St Anns,
with more bases coming on board from January 2020. The Bulwell base
is supported by the mother of LyricoSteede who was stabbed in the local
area;

(f)young people can come to a cadet session
and observe before deciding if they want to take part. There will
also be a cadet roadshow starting on 13September which provides
sessions during the holidays in other areas, including Bestwood;

(g)the VPC organises community cohesion
events providing free activities and sports for young people. These
also include talent competitions, speeches and discussions around
youth violence, knife crime and other issues. They also support
other community events such as the Stephen Lawrence Day event in
Bulwell;

(h)
the VPC also offers mentoring and one to one support for young
people and can provide bespoke events depending on the numbers and
needs of the young people;

(i)currently there is only one VPC
Engagement Officer and resources are stretched for the cost of
venues, equipment and materials. Volunteers are also required to
run the programme.

The following answers were provided to
questions from Committee members:

(j)volunteers must be over 18 and DBS
checked. Social workers and universities have been
approached;

(k)the age limit was lowered to 10 but due
to capacity cannot be lowered further. The mini police programme
runs in some primary schools for younger children;

(l)
impact of the programme is difficult to measure, however the number
of missing children has reduced and the need has been assessed
through the number of referrals made;

(m)anyone can join the VPC programme but vulnerable
children are particularly targeted, with spaces held back for them
should they wish to join.

Celia Knight, Neighbourhood Development
Officer, introduced the report providing the Committee with the
latest spend proposals under the Area Capital Fund including
highways and footways, and the latest spend proposals regarding Public
Realm schemes.

RESOLVED to approve
the following Area Capital and public realm schemes for
Bestwood, Bulwell and Bulwell
Forest:

Location

Estimate

Details

Padstow Road, road safety

£800

Installation of 20mph roundels/signs on
Padstow Road

Chippenham Road/Hillington Rise, TRO

£18,000

Installation of measures to reduce congestion
and improve access

Winterton Rise,
parking

£43,000

Feasibility, design and installation of
parking provision on Winterton Rise

St Alban’s Road, road safety

£1,500

Installation of 20mph roundels/signs on St
Albans Road

Petersfield Close/Stacey Avenue,

£584

Installation of barriers to prevent vehicles
driving illegally on the footpath

Suki Shergill, Neighbourhood Development
Officer, introduced the report focussing on current priorities and
issues facing the Bestwood, Bulwell and
Bulwell Forest wards and giving details of forthcoming events and
activities.

RESOLVED to note the
progress on ward priorities and other supporting information
including the issues being addressed by each Neighbourhood Action
Team, and upcoming opportunities for citizens to engage and latest
CDP statistics.